The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Coventry from Aston Villa and the Championship side are keen to keep Gardner well into the New Year.
“He’s got some quality, there is no question about that and we want to keep him,” Thorn told the Coventry Telegraph.
“We just hope that we can make the boy feel welcome and that Villa sign more midfield players in January.
“We will look after him and he’s enjoying himself and long may that continue.
“He’s fitted in with the group and the boys like what they see. They are all talking about him and it has given everyone a lift.”
